[georgere]

Wondering if anyone has switched from f80 to m550.... what's is your take? What do you miss from m3 and what do you like about 550 over m3?

[hlothery]

I came from F83 M4 to M550i. Other than the convertible roof, there is little I miss. I believe the M550i has similar power, but of course is heavier in the corners. However, the M550i rockets out of the corners without wheelspin, which I definitely do not miss. I also do not miss being cramped in the car. I love the larger cabin, and the luxury I got back when I traded. I like the ZF8 with the torque converter as much as the DCT I had in the F83. It performs similarly, without the clunkiness of the DCT. I love the M550i.

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by georgere

Wondering if anyone has switched from f80 to m550.... what's is your take? What do you miss from m3 and what do you like about 550 over m3?

I did about 1 month ago. I was going to share my story as a full on thread but I'll give you my short version.

My M3 was the only BMW that I had a love/hate relationship.

Love: Power, sound, styling, the smile it put on my face (and others).

Hate: Unreliable, hugely uncomfortable, impractical, and the competition package is NOT a daily driver, despite what BMW would like you to believe.



I essentially turned it in because over ownership of it for 2 years the firm seats along with a very high side hip bolster has either caused or contributed to some hip impingement on my left side. Now this is also in adding that it was a competition seat, so also no lumbar support.


It took 2 years and a 200 mile family round trip to realize that it just wasn't for me anymore. Even in comfort mode, you felt every bump through your body, even with the 19" wheels, and after 2 years that didn't leave me with a smile on my face.



So a few more details. I don't know that I ever bought a nicer looking car. I got AW, with all the carbon fiber goodies, and loved staring at the thing. I got in and sheer driving pleasure with instantaneous torque, and a big ear to ear smile as you got over 4000 RPMS into its power band. The handling was unbelievable, and you can just throw the thing wherever you want, and it'll do what you expect. It was my daily driver, and always put a smile on my face with every trip, every time, despite the negatives I mentioned.

But besides the hip and the lack of overall comfort here's what else I didn't like:

- Tires. BMW really put crap tires on this thing. I got maybe 10,000 miles out of the Conti's that they put on. Not fun having to decide to buy new tires.

- Unreliable - I had 3-4 significant issues with parts that cause major things in the car to work to break down - sensors on the steering rack, radiator fans, other electrical issues. All under 5,000 miles. So I never trusted the car, even at 27,000 miles when I turned it in.

- Leather quality - sucked. It looked nice, and felt nice, but I had to replace my front seats as the flank bolster wore down in less than 7,000 miles.

- Fear of flat - while I lived with the goo in the trunk, I was always apprehensive about long trips especially with the family without a spare. Realistically in 22 years of driving I've had 3 flats, but that's 3 more than zero especially not wanted to be stranded with a family.

- Even with winter tires, not for north easterners. So not because it was incapable, but because other drivers suck so bad. I almost got stuck in a snowstorm because all of the other drivers could not maintain speed in a very mild snowstorm. As a result, you get stopped on a hill. No matter what tires, what the driver, this car will not make it from a stop up a hill, in 2-3 inches of slippery snow. It will not. Now I emphasize the from the stop part, and that's where the issue lied, sitting in stop and go traffic with idiots that want to go 7mph when 20 mph is more appropriate so you can actually get up and down hills.



So needless to say, the decision was made despite my love of the car really outweighing the negatives. But as you see, emotion was the only thing keeping me with it.



The short on the M550... It feels just as fast as the M3, with added refinement and comfort. It doesn't corner as well, but when you get out of the M3 and remember that this is a daily driver, you suddenly don't care anymore... because your back is being massaged, as you comfortably went over a bump at 65 miles per hour. And then you put the pedal down and realize that it'll push you deep into those plush seats with the same aggression as the M3.

So what do I like about it better, it does everything as a daily driver that the M3 does, but better. If you're not ever thinking of bringing a car to the track, you're in the clear. If you're ok with it not being RWD, you're in the clear, but that was a win for me.


What do I miss about the M3:
- The exhaust sound rumbling down the street
- The ability to change the suspension and steering settings
- The emotional connection to the car


The only thing the 550 falls short is on the exhaust sound. It's not loud enough for an M performance automobile, especially when you test drive it next to the new M340.


And after the purchase, and still living with the "why I didn't get an M5", it's the 40k differential that made that decision. For daily purposes, the M5 isn't that much more to get excited over that difference in price.

[530iDriver]

These testimonies go to show that hardcore and track focused M cars don't make for great daily drivers. There is nothing with a comfortable and quiet car that can balance a bit of nice handling and ride smoothness.

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

These testimonies go to show that hardcore and track focused M cars don't make for great daily drivers. There is nothing with a comfortable and quiet car that can balance a bit of nice handling and ride smoothness.

Well that's the problem... if you look in the owners manual for the M3 it tells you not to drive it on a racetrack... despite what marketing would make you believe.

[KnightedBMW]

I had a 2016 F80 M3 and now drive a 2019 M550. LOVED my M3, but the M550 is in another class. The power is there, but much more refined. Doesn’t have those sexy hips or the exhaust growl, but the negatives stop there.

Couldn’t be happier!

[Superjackson]

IMO the m550i easily has a much better sounding exhaust if one or two of the resonators are taken out. It's basically a v8 AMG sound, which I don't think any exhaust mods to an S55 can beat.

[heckyeahbro69]

I just ordered a g30 with luxury seats because i'm over driving a zcp f80 every day. I needed something totally different that was more comfortable for a nearly 30 mile 1 way commute.

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by heckyeahbro69

I just ordered a g30 with luxury seats because i'm over driving a zcp f80 every day. I needed something totally different that was more comfortable for a nearly 30 mile 1 way commute.

I am so glad I'm not alone. I was almost embarrassed to say I turned in an M3 for a 5 series.

[hlothery]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

I am so glad I'm not alone. I was almost embarrassed to say I turned in an M3 for a 5 series.

Just remember, you'll be told that you no longer drive a "real" M car. I was even called a poser after I switched, despite having driven an M4 for three years. Just smile and flex that V8!

[xtac]

I'm looking to get into a 5 series, a lot of other posts have said the ride quality isn't that great, some say it is so im confused. Obvious the cabin will be roomier and more luxurious, im guessing the 19 inch wheels is the culprit, but whose going to rock 18's on a 5 series in 2019?

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by xtac

I'm looking to get into a 5 series, a lot of other posts have said the ride quality isn't that great, some say it is so im confused. Obvious the cabin will be roomier and more luxurious, im guessing the 19 inch wheels is the culprit, but whose going to rock 18's on a 5 series in 2019?

M550 doesn't come with 18"s.

[xtac]

Originally Posted by BMWModel3

M550 doesn't come with 18"s.

Exactly, so I haven't test drove the vehicle on the horrible NY roads we have, but do you have any idea what makes the ride quality uncomfortable?

Hitting a pothole with the f80 used to make my heart pop out, but again those were 20's.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by xtac

Exactly, so I haven't test drove the vehicle on the horrible NY roads we have, but do you have any idea what makes the ride quality uncomfortable?

Hitting a pothole with the f80 used to make my heart pop out, but again those were 20's.

More of a function of horrible roads than anything else I imagine

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by hlothery

Just remember, you'll be told that you no longer drive a "real" M car. I was even called a poser after I switched, despite having driven an M4 for three years. Just smile and flex that V8!

I prefer "M-poster" to poser.

Let me get the goo gone and floss so I can get that badge off my car...

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by xtac

I'm looking to get into a 5 series, a lot of other posts have said the ride quality isn't that great, some say it is so im confused. Obvious the cabin will be roomier and more luxurious, im guessing the 19 inch wheels is the culprit, but whose going to rock 18's on a 5 series in 2019?

I've been very pleased with the comfort in 19" RFTs. I'd be interested in seeing the difference in another brand of tires... mine came with the goodyears.

[wknddrivr]

Originally Posted by xtac

I'm looking to get into a 5 series, a lot of other posts have said the ride quality isn't that great, some say it is so im confused. Obvious the cabin will be roomier and more luxurious, im guessing the 19 inch wheels is the culprit, but whose going to rock 18's on a 5 series in 2019?

It's mainly the RFTs creating extra harshness. You can either go to an 18 with RFT or keep the 19 and switch to non RFT.

I will say though that the RFT are much much better on the G30 than prior generations. In the past, first thing I'd have done was get rid of the RFT and put on non-RFT tires. On the G30, the RFT is good enough that I didn't feel the need to do that, but they do add harshness to impacts and make more road noise than non-RFT

[scoale]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

I am so glad I'm not alone. I was almost embarrassed to say I turned in an M3 for a 5 series.

I have an M3 and a 540. There is absolutely ZERO reason to be embarrassed about driving a 5 series. I think BMW did a great job with this car. I like my M3, but I would argue that the 5 series is the better car for the overwhelming majority of people (myself included). It is a safe bet that I will own our 540 longer than the M3.

[scoale]

Originally Posted by heckyeahbro69

I just ordered a g30 with luxury seats because i'm over driving a zcp f80 every day. I needed something totally different that was more comfortable for a nearly 30 mile 1 way commute.

If you were looking for more comfortable seats, you will not be disappointed. 5 series multi-contour seats BLOW M3 away. I have both cars.

[scoale]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

I've been very pleased with the comfort in 19" RFTs. I'd be interested in seeing the difference in another brand of tires... mine came with the goodyears.

Me too. Mine came with Michelin. Going with non RFT when time to replace, but not expecting big improvement.

[hlothery]

Originally Posted by scoale

Me too. Mine came with Michelin. Going with non RFT when time to replace, but not expecting big improvement.

This is my current debate. The Goodyear F1 Asymmetric runflats are light years ahead of the runflats which came on my 2014 E350, but still pretty harsh over bumps, and I have already blown one sidewall on a pothole. I loved the Michelin PS4S I had on my M4, but those were 19's and now I have 668Ms which are 20's. I'm thinking about Michelin PS3ZP vs the PS4S for my next tire. Anyway, the M550i is way better in comfort and wonderful to drive, with very similar performance as my M4. Kinda wish, however, I had gone with 19's instead.....but those gorgeous 668Ms!......1st world problems, indeed.

[Big boi m5]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

I did about 1 month ago. I was going to share my story as a full on thread but I'll give you my short version.

My M3 was the only BMW that I had a love/hate relationship.

Love: Power, sound, styling, the smile it put on my face (and others).

Hate: Unreliable, hugely uncomfortable, impractical, and the competition package is NOT a daily driver, despite what BMW would like you to believe.



I essentially turned it in because over ownership of it for 2 years the firm seats along with a very high side hip bolster has either caused or contributed to some hip impingement on my left side. Now this is also in adding that it was a competition seat, so also no lumbar support.


It took 2 years and a 200 mile family round trip to realize that it just wasn't for me anymore. Even in comfort mode, you felt every bump through your body, even with the 19" wheels, and after 2 years that didn't leave me with a smile on my face.



So a few more details. I don't know that I ever bought a nicer looking car. I got AW, with all the carbon fiber goodies, and loved staring at the thing. I got in and sheer driving pleasure with instantaneous torque, and a big ear to ear smile as you got over 4000 RPMS into its power band. The handling was unbelievable, and you can just throw the thing wherever you want, and it'll do what you expect. It was my daily driver, and always put a smile on my face with every trip, every time, despite the negatives I mentioned.

But besides the hip and the lack of overall comfort here's what else I didn't like:

- Tires. BMW really put crap tires on this thing. I got maybe 10,000 miles out of the Conti's that they put on. Not fun having to decide to buy new tires.

- Unreliable - I had 3-4 significant issues with parts that cause major things in the car to work to break down - sensors on the steering rack, radiator fans, other electrical issues. All under 5,000 miles. So I never trusted the car, even at 27,000 miles when I turned it in.

- Leather quality - sucked. It looked nice, and felt nice, but I had to replace my front seats as the flank bolster wore down in less than 7,000 miles.

- Fear of flat - while I lived with the goo in the trunk, I was always apprehensive about long trips especially with the family without a spare. Realistically in 22 years of driving I've had 3 flats, but that's 3 more than zero especially not wanted to be stranded with a family.

- Even with winter tires, not for north easterners. So not because it was incapable, but because other drivers suck so bad. I almost got stuck in a snowstorm because all of the other drivers could not maintain speed in a very mild snowstorm. As a result, you get stopped on a hill. No matter what tires, what the driver, this car will not make it from a stop up a hill, in 2-3 inches of slippery snow. It will not. Now I emphasize the from the stop part, and that's where the issue lied, sitting in stop and go traffic with idiots that want to go 7mph when 20 mph is more appropriate so you can actually get up and down hills.



So needless to say, the decision was made despite my love of the car really outweighing the negatives. But as you see, emotion was the only thing keeping me with it.



The short on the M550... It feels just as fast as the M3, with added refinement and comfort. It doesn't corner as well, but when you get out of the M3 and remember that this is a daily driver, you suddenly don't care anymore... because your back is being massaged, as you comfortably went over a bump at 65 miles per hour. And then you put the pedal down and realize that it'll push you deep into those plush seats with the same aggression as the M3.

So what do I like about it better, it does everything as a daily driver that the M3 does, but better. If you're not ever thinking of bringing a car to the track, you're in the clear. If you're ok with it not being RWD, you're in the clear, but that was a win for me.


What do I miss about the M3:
- The exhaust sound rumbling down the street
- The ability to change the suspension and steering settings
- The emotional connection to the car


The only thing the 550 falls short is on the exhaust sound. It's not loud enough for an M performance automobile, especially when you test drive it next to the new M340.


And after the purchase, and still living with the "why I didn't get an M5", it's the 40k differential that made that decision. For daily purposes, the M5 isn't that much more to get excited over that difference in price.

Haha IDK why you thought the 'competition' M3 was for daily driving. I think BMw themselves call it 'streetable track' car.

Anyway, I drove the M850 and I liked it a lot but I wish it had better cornering like the competitions too.

Thé 5/6/8 M cars all have softer suspension than the 2/3/4 M cars due to their long wheelbase and they corner just as well. Try it out and see. Thé M5 comp took bumps better than my old 135i.

Anyway, I'm not sure the difference is really $40k with when new springs are very cheap in comparison and the engine is basically the same.


How's the overheating issue on the M550i? Same as the old 550i or did they fix it?

I'm interested in replacing my e60 M5 with one , if the day comes when I have no choice.